The key to continuity: a peek at the Queen's morning routine

Next week the Queen breaks the record for the longest-reigning British monarch in history – a sign of her stay, longevity and good health. So, how does Her Majesty kick off every day of her reign, which on 9 September reaches 63 years and 216 days? We take a look at her royal routine...

Queen Elizabeth II is an early riser, author of At Home With The Queen Brian Hoey tells People magazine, waking at 7:30am.

A footman carries a "calling tray" of Twinings' English breakfast tea in a bone china cup and saucer, served with milk and Marie cookies, which a maid brings into her room. The first sign of her healthy diet: the 89-year-old doesn’t take sugar in her tea.

The Queen enjoys Twinings' English breakfast tea every morning; here pictured in 1999

After a bath, she joins her husband of 68 years and Britain’s longest-serving consort, Prince Philip, for cereal – Elizabeth is reportedly a fan of cornflakes.

While many royal fans would only imagine the finest of bone china throughout the palace's kitchens and at every dining table, cereals and other accompaniments, such as apricots, prunes and macadamia nuts, are kept in Tupperware containers.

More components of the royal breakfast routine include reading the newspapers, (especially the Racing Post, which covers one of her favourite hobbies, horse racing) and listening to her vintage Roberts radio tuned to BBC Radio 4's Today program.

The Queen's surprisingly modest diet has been documented over the years. In his biography The Diamond Queen, British broadcaster and journalist Andrew Marr states, "All her life she has preferred simple food to fancy and the odd Dubonnet and gin to fine wine."

The Queen joins her husband for cereal every morning; pictured at their wedding in 1947

The Duchess of Cornwall has observed: "I think she likes things very plain, nothing too complicated."

Former royal chef Darren McGrady, meanwhile, has given a glimpse into a typical lunch at the palace, which is served at 1pm, and comprises of fish, such as a grilled Dover sole, on a bed of wilted spinach or with courgettes.

Naturally, an afternoon tea of cakes, scones and sandwiches follows, but according to sources, pastries are kept small in size.

The Queen's favourites, Darren says, include honey and cream sponge, ginger, fruit and the chocolate biscuit cake that Prince William also chose to be served at his wedding reception.

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